Levels of Arkansas Driver’s Licensing.

There are three different levels of licensing that allow those 14 years and older to start learning to drive. These three levels are:

Learners License

Must be at least 14 years of age. This license expires at age 16.

Must have successfully completed Arkansas State Police testing requirements

Driver must be accompanied by someone at least 21 years of age

All passengers must have seatbelts on at all times

No serious accident or traffic conviction within 6 months prior to making application

Intermediate License

Must be at least 16 years of age. This license expires at age 18.

Must already have a learners license or have successfully completed Arkansas State Police testing requirements

All passengers must have seatbelts on at all times

No serious accident or traffic conviction within 6 months prior to making application

Note – If you are under 18 and are getting your first license, a licensed adult (21+) must accompany you for at least 6 months. The six-month period begins the day the driver passes the written test.

Regular License

Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must already have an intermediate license or have successfully completed Arkansas State Police testing requirements
• No serious accident or traffic conviction within 12 months prior to making application
• You can qualify for a regular license if you are 16 and married, in the military, or possess a
high school diploma or GED

What You Need To Know

If under 18 you will need to take a birth certificate, proof of enrollment in school, proof of grade point average of at least 2.0 and a parent or legal guardian to the testing site. If you are under 18 but have graduated from high school, you will need to show proof of your graduation (diploma) at the testing site. (For the location of testing sites, call the Arkansas State Police at 501-618-8251.)

All persons 14 to 18 years of age must hold an A restriction (adult in car) for a minimum of 6 months before driving unrestricted. The six month time period begins on the date the person passes the written exam (the date the learners permit is issued by the state police examiner).

Any person applying for a driver’s license is required to submit ONE Primary Document and ONE Secondary Document or TWO Primary Documents from the list. A primary document must contain the full name and date of birth and must be verifiable, i.e., you must be able to contact the issuing agency to determine authenticity of the document (See above). There is a complete list of all acceptable documents in the $CSLINK.

Understanding The Arkansas Learner’s Permit

The learners license is the beginning drivers license issued to a person at least 14 years of age and will expire on the licensee’s 16th birth date. Applicants may qualify for a learners license by passing the written and road tests given by the Arkansas State Police, passing the vision exam and having no serious accidents or traffic convictions in the most recent six months. (Serious accidents and traffic convictions are defined below)

Restrictions on a learners license are, all passengers must have seats belts attached at all times, and the driver must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older. Upon the expiration of a learner’s license (the person’s 16th birthday), the person may apply for an intermediate drivers license.